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What is planned?

Endcliffe Park and Norfolk Heritage Park have been chosen by the 'UK Freedom Movement' as the Sheffield hosts of their mass gatherings, set to happen at midday today (May 16).

Meanwhile the poster for Leeds is encouraging people to attend to separate events in Middleton Park, Middleton, and Woodhouse Moor, Hyde Park, also at 12pm.

They are just two of over 60 locations across the UK which have been chosen to play host to the illegal and dangerous meetings.

In posters being distributed on social media, people are encouraged to "bring a picnic" as they "have some fun and say yes to life".

"We say no to the coronavirus bill. No to mandatory vaccines. No to the new normal and no to the unlawful lockdown", the posters read.

How have the police responded?

Police in Leeds and Sheffield have spoken out since the posters began circulating.

South Yorkshire Police said they are aware of reports of the mass gatherings planned by the UK Freedom Movement at Endcliffe Park and Norfolk Park this weekend.

The force has reminded people that it will use its powers to disperse people should anyone contravene the new laws put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Officers will patrol the parks and people are being encouraged to not attend the events on Saturday.

A spokeswoman for the police said: "We are aware of reports of planned gatherings at Endcliffe and Norfolk Park this weekend, as part of a series of events across the country.

“We would like to urge people not to attend these gatherings. Despite the slight easing of restrictions, the Government is clear that gatherings of three or more people who are not members of the same household remain against the law.

"It’s important people continue to adhere to these restrictions in order to stay safe and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“We are closely monitoring plans in the lead up to the event and our officers will be patrolling the parks across the weekend. Our officers do have the power to disperse gatherings should they need to.”

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A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police has told LeedsLive how they would react if people do attend, but admitted that enforcement would only be used "as a last resort".

In a statement, they said: "West Yorkshire Police urges people to continue to observe social distancing rules and to check and follow government guidance.

"We hope the compliance we have seen from the vast majority of people will continue in the weeks ahead and our approach will continue to focus on engaging, explaining and encouraging, with enforcement as a last resort, should it be necessary.

"Our neighbourhood officers’ pre-existing positive relationship with local communities has really helped us maintain a good working relationship and we continue to be there to reassure people and to deal with criminality."

How have people reacted?

The shocking posters have been met with an outpouring of support from many people on social media, with some even requesting an event in their localities.

"Yes!!!!!!! Power to the people, let's take back our country," said one commenter, while another posted: "GO FOR IT !!!!"

In another post on their page, a member wrote: "Come on UK we owe it to our kids and ourselves to show up and make a stand on Saturday!"

But the dangerous events have also been widely criticised, with many calling for police to intervene.

Councillor Ben Miskell, representative for Park and Arbourthorne ward in Sheffield, said: “Whether it will actually happen or not or if it’s just to whip us all up into frustration and angst that people could be that stupid, who knows.

“The vast majority of people in Norfolk Park and across Sheffield are outraged when they see things like this.

“What we are dealing with at the moment is life and death and this isn’t the time to be organising silly political protests against sensible measures to control a global pandemic.”

One resident, Linda Wilkinson, commented on social media post which shared the poster and said: “I can’t believe I’m reading this. Have these people been asleep for the past two months? People are dying for God sake.”

Another, Amy Rowan, called it “stupidity” and alerted the park officer – asking him to contact the local community police officers.